“It was awesome” ❤️
Five years ago, Ashley Lewis and her husband gave their children a gift they had always dreamed of: a sweet little French bulldog named Baby.
Baby quickly became more than just a pet — he was a source of comfort and connection for the family, especially after a big cross-country move.
“He was just such a joy to our family after moving,” Lewis told The Dodo. “He had the greatest personality … he was a family member.”
For four wonderful years, Baby brought happiness to the Lewis household. But last summer, tragedy struck. Baby passed away suddenly, leaving the entire family heartbroken.
“We had never had a pet before, and I never understood [the pain],” Lewis said. “We had a memorial service for him. It took a very, very long time to just not be so sad about it. It was definitely a heartbreak.”
For the next year, the Lewis family mourned Baby’s loss in the best way they could — by keeping his memory alive. They watched old videos of him, collected plush toys that resembled him, and talked about him often.
Though they loved him deeply, the pain of losing Baby made them unsure if they’d ever welcome another dog into their lives. That is, until an unexpected visitor appeared — almost exactly one year after Baby’s passing.
On a bright summer day, Lewis’ son was alone in their outdoor schoolroom when a tan French bulldog wandered in like he owned the place. He wasn’t Baby, but he looked just like him — same body shape, same warm eyes, and, somehow, the exact same personality.
“He has the exact personality of our dog,” Lewis said. “He was just kind of like, ‘Um, yeah, you’re my family now.’ He acted like we were the owners and that he did not have any other owners.”
The pup sauntered over for attention, just as Baby used to do. When the rest of the family returned home, they were just as surprised — and instantly smitten. They affectionately named him Graham Cracker.
Though it was clear the dog was healthy and likely had a home nearby, Graham Cracker showed no interest in leaving. He spent the evening happily playing with the Lewis kids, who couldn’t stop commenting on how much he reminded them of Baby.
“So, this is the ghost of Baby?” Lewis’ son joked in a video shared on Instagram.
That night, Graham Cracker stayed with them as the family searched for his home. The next day, they finally connected with his real family. His name was Rocco, and he lived just a few doors down with a family — and kids — much like their own.
Rocco had slipped out while his family was away and apparently decided to go looking for some new friends.
Rocco’s family was apologetic, but the Lewises were far from upset — they were grateful. They even offered to babysit him in the future.
While Rocco went back home, the bond remained. The Lewises stayed in touch with his owners, whom they now call friends. And though their hearts still ache for Baby, the surprise visit from Rocco brought comfort and healing they hadn’t expected.
“With Rocco came these amazing neighbors that we had never met face-to-face,” Lewis said. “It was awesome.”